Ethiopian Headquarters has contaced me via e-mail concerning the $763 Bangkok fare.
As I evaluate how to proceed with Ethiopian, I do wish to be transparent and post all correspondence. Having led you through this saga, it is only fair.
Here’s the note:
Dear Mr. Matthew,
This has reference to the ticket case which you have been corresponding with our colleague Mr. Tadesse.
First and foremost please accept our sincere apology for the inconvenience you have encountered in this occasion. We have made an exception and had secured approval to treat your case differently and honor the ticket you have bought . However , it came to our attention that you are no longer interested to use the ticket as you have made other travel arrangements. The other alternative at hand will be to process full refund of the ticket you bought from us either in cash or in voucher with the same form of payment and currency . Please confirm receiving of our message to instruct the concerned office to act accordingly.
Once again , we highly regret the ordeal caused and look forward to the pleasure of serving you again .
Sincerely,
Bezawit
Well, at least they have been talking to each other and staying on top of this now.
I am still contemplating how I might be able to take advantage of this ticket.
Is requesting to fly LA to Bangkok back to LA reasonable or is that pushing it? How about just Toronto to Bangkok and back, as originally ticketed, just in the opposite order?
I won’t push this one too hard, but I’d still like to experience Cloud 9 (business) class on Ethiopian Airlines for the blog, including the overnight transit experience in Addis Ababa.
Some have suggested that I would be a sellout to do business with them now. That is not my concern. If I refunded my ticket and took them up on their earlier offer for a free review I would disclose it but it would undoubtedly compromise my review (the reason I turned it down in the first place). I’m not going to do that.
If I just fly this ticket at a later date, would they be prepared (like China Eastern was for Lucky and me)? Or would I get at least a genuine experience of the seat, IFE, and onboard catering?
A lot to think about as I craft a response to Ethiopian Headquarters. Here’s what I am leaning toward: I will attempt to re-shceulde this trip on the condition that they honor the fares of others who request it. That’s a request I owe all of you.
Should they refuse, I’ll post the response here and we can discuss the final decision.
You knew it was an error fare, you were informed about it, you lost, just let it be! Jeeezzzzzz….
It seems I won…
What did you win? A chance to take a press trip and pay for it. Congrats!
Maybe a refund plus the cost of dinner at a decent Ethiopian restaurant in LA as an apology?
(Because Ethiopian food is really the only reason to choose to fly them to Bangkok anyway…)
The old Lufthansa screw up approach? 😉
(I remember their classy gesture to you!)
With all due respect, you do realize that you’ve been treated this way (i.e., having your tickets honored) because you’re a blogger and that your story is all over the internet, right? In a previous post about this saga, you acknowledged your own white, male, western privilege and how these social identifiers affected how others saw and treated you. I imagine that a Black woman trying to do what you did with the station manager in BKK would’ve led to the same result. In the end, my sense is that you just want to fly in J aboard Ethiopian, and if Ethiopian were NOT to honor the remaining tickets, I have this terrible feeling that you’ll still find a reason to fly. I hope you’ll prove us all wrong.
Edited:
With all due respect, you do realize that you’ve been treated this way (i.e., having your tickets honored) because you’re a blogger and that your story is all over the internet, right? In a previous post about this saga, you acknowledged your own white, male, western privilege and how these social identifiers affected how others saw and treated you. I imagine that a Black woman trying to do what you did with the station manager in BKK would’ve NOT led to the same result. In the end, my sense is that you just want to fly in J aboard Ethiopian, and if Ethiopian were NOT to honor the remaining tickets, I have this terrible feeling that you’ll still find a reason to fly. I hope you’ll prove us all wrong.
I like your idea in the conclusion. You definitely have some readers who took advantage of this fare and hopefully Ethiopian will honor their tickets as well.
+1
You got to be kidding me. You are scum. 100% n ur blog photo is creepy as heck.
Get a complete new flight out of them.
You disgust me.
Don’t let the haters bring you down. Most of us have nothing but a level of “shock and awe” respect for your persistence. Keep it up good sir!
Hi Matthew, it would be good to see your review of Ethiopian and layover in Addis. Thanks for your blog!
You have to fly them. Not for you – for us. This saga must not end. It is way to fun! 😉
I agree with Tim, you have lost, dearly. Here’s how:
1. They’ve shown that their decision not to honor your paid and purchased ticket (the one with designated time of flight) is FINAL. Whoever you are, right or wrong didn’t matter. All decision is by Ethiopian airlines.
2. Ethiopian is a generous airline to make (in their own word) an ‘exception and treat your case differently’. Should any part of your review or blog is not in their liking, this ‘exception’ shall be used against your credibility and/or honesty.
3. They have invited you to fly for free, yet you refuse. What is different now?
4. You will need to spend extra time and money just to received their ‘exception’. Surely for a travel blogger it is your job. But is it fair for your readers?
5. If you ask for a damage compensation, they simply called you a greedy blogger. If you go for a legal claims on court, I’m pretty sure they can spin the case to damage your credibility as well not to mention their pocket is deeper.
No offense and I highly appreciated your effort and goodwill in this case. But I think you’ve been played right into the trap.
Matt-
Haters are gonna hate. I’ve been following this saga from the beginning. Although it’s possible you being an internet blogger played a part in EA’s decision to make an exception. At the end of the day EA has stepped up and agreed to honor the fare.
I’d suggest you’d like the original route for your review, don’t push your luck. Their business class (Cloud 9) sounds amazing.
Ffs, just do what you want. There will always be some who don’t want you to and some who don’t care. You’ll lose some readers but you’ll probably gain some in the future. I thought a blog was a place to let you share what you’ve done, rather than something that dictates your life.
First, I paid attention. Now it has become petty and boring. Get your refund and please, go away! Hey, Ethiopian, I think there is blogging and there is online bullies, I m beginning to feel the line between the two is blurring. Anyway, don’t give in to either!
The only premium thing you’ve come close to winning is being a First Class Douche Bag.
Your “saga” is a common event for many people chasing error fares and fuel dumps, but they acknowledge the risks up front and either chose to accept them with the potential consequences, or get up from the table. You broke the etiquette of poking the bear in the eye, publicly nevertheless, and got what you deserved.
But please, keep pumping the clickbait of how you were “wronged”.
I have enjoyed the saga so far. Regarding the haters – no matter what you do, someone is going to be pissed off about it, that’s the way the internet works. Please keep us updated on your progress with Ethiopian.
Hi,
It is not totally cool how you are reacting. You would not find any sincere apology from western Airlines if you were screwed by them. I feel vomiting when I see such professional seeking fame out of an obvious errors.
I will never see your blog again.
What the heck is wrong with some of these people? Envy has no bounds, especially online.
This has actually been a fascinating story, and I am grateful that you take us through your thinking process.
Yep, some probably get some special perks.
If anyone else wants the same perks, earn them.
Bloggers like Matthew and Gary hide very few “trade secrets.” They have earned the perks and respect from the travel community at large through hard work and taking chances.
I have been at this literally for over 30 years. It is not easy. Leave it to the pros. Listen, read and learn.